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| USN Baltimore-class Heavy Cruiser 14,472 Tons (standard) 17,031 Tons (maximum) 673' 5" x 70' 10" x 20' 6" 9 × 8"/55 cal. guns (3x3) 6 × Dual 5"/25 cal. guns 12 x Quad 40mm Bofors 24 x 20mm cannons 4 x floatplanes 2 x stern catapults  USN July 26, 1944 |
Ship History Built by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Company's Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts. Laid down May 26, 1941 as Baltimore-class heavy cruiser. Launched July 28, 1942 as USS Baltimore (CA-68) named in honor of the city of Baltimore in Maryland sponsored by Mrs. Howard W. Jackson the wife of the mayor of Baltimore as the fifth ship with the name in the Navy. Commissioned April 15, 1943 in the U.S. Navy (USN) under the command of Captain Walter Carson Calhoun. After fitting out, on June 17, 1943 departs via Annapolis for Hampton Roads, Virginia and conducts exercises off Virginia Capes then a shakedown cruise off Trinidad then returns to Hampton Roads on July 24, 1943. On July 28, 1943 departs for Boston for repairs and alterations. In early September 1943 departs Norfolk with USS Sigourney (DD-643) via the Panama Canal. On September 25, 1943 arrives San Diego and continues training. On October 16, 1943 departs San Diego via San Francisco to Pearl Harbor. Wartime History During November 1943 part of the fire support and covering force for the U.S. landings at Makin Atoll. Next, participates in the landings at Kwajalein Atoll and as cover for Operation Hailstone carrier raids on Truk Lagoon. On February 17, 1944 an OS2U Kingfisher piloted by Lt(jg) Denver M. Baxter from Baltimore conducts a daring mission to rescue ditched F6F Hellcat pilot Lt(jg) George M. Blair from VF-9 less than 6,000 yards off Dublon Island. Next supports the landing at Eniwetok Atoll. On February 21-22, 1944 provides fire support for attacks on the Marianas then cover for raids on Palau, Yap, Ulithi, Woleai, Hollandia, Truk-Satawan-Poape, Marcus, Wake and Saipan then participates in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. During July 1944 returns to the United States. On July 22, 1944 embarks President of the United States (POTUS) Franklin D. Roosevelt and proceeds to Pearl Harbor for meetings with commanders and to encourage Americans that the President is devoting his personal attention to the Pacific War. On July 26, 1944 arrives Pearl Harbor and photographed with General Douglas MacArthur and Admiral Chester W. Nimitz aboard. After meetings, Baltimore transports Roosevelt to Alaska. On August 3, 1944 arrives Adak and the next day departs for Kodiak. On August 9, 1944 Roosevelt is transfered aboard USS Cummings (DD-365) to visit Puget Sound Navy Yard at Bremerton. Postwar Between 1946–1951 placed in the U.S. Navy reserve at Bremerton. On November 28, 1951 recommissioned and assigned to the to the Atlantic Fleet then deployed with the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean during the summers of 1952, 1953 and 1954. During June 1953 she represented the United States Navy in the British Fleet Review at Spithead. On January 5, 1955 transferred to the Pacific Fleet and deployed with the Seventh Fleet in the Far East between February 1955 until August 1955 and began an inactivation overhaul. On May 31, 1956 placed in reserve at Bremerton. On February 15, 1971 struck from the Navy register. Fate On April 10, 1972 sold to to Zidell Ship Dismantling Company in Portland, Oregon. During September 1972 broken up for scrap. Awards Baltimore earned nine battle stars for her World War II service. References At Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum (North Korean War Museum) in Pyongyang has several exhibits that claim during the Korean War the USS Baltimore was sunk by Korean People's Navy motor torpedo boats on July 2, 1950 during the Battle of Chumonchin Chan including the torpedo boats under the command of Kim Kun Ok that claimed to sink Baltimore. During 2023 North Korea named a Sinpo-C class submarine Hero Kim Kun Ok after the torpedo boat captain. In fact, Baltimore was in reserve at Bremerton. The July 2, 1950 engagement was against USS Juneau (CL-52), HMS Black Swan (L57) and HMS Jamaica (44) that destroyed several torpedo boats without loss or damage to the United Nations warships. Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - USS Baltimore (CA-68) NavSource - USS Baltimore (CA-68) Contribute
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